Jorge Jesus' press conference ahead of Europa League hosting of Bayer Leverkusen

Jorge Jesus sat down with the press in a press conference this Wednesday, in the build-up to this week's Europa League hosting of Bayer Leverkusen.

“What kind of form a team is in really matters and we are full of confidence. Bayer Leverkusen are a Champions League team and, like I have already said, I think Sporting CP and FC Porto were drawn against the strongest teams in the Europa League. It will be a difficult match against a team I know well and have already faced a few times, but this year they are stronger. Let's see what happens in the first-leg", opened the Alvalade boss, adding a word on his plan for the encounter: "This isn't the time for us to stop rotating the squad. I have been focused on my main objective since the start of the season that isn't going to change now. For Sporting to win we will have to play really well and we know how Bayer will cause problems for us. I am more and more convinced that the Bundesliga is the best."

Responding to a comment that named Sporting as the best team in Portugal, Jorge Jesus highlighted the difference between the two sides' approach to the encounter: "I agree. He must be talking about the Portuguese league table and we are in first. From that, I agree. However I would say that Bayer Leverkusen are a great side. In their last match they rested two or three players, whereas we didn't. Whatever the result tomorrow, it won't bring a lot of security for either team in the second-leg. We will have to try and win without conceding, but that won't define the second-leg."